Final answer:
The survival rate of adult patients with non-traumatic cardiac arrest treated by EMS and surviving to hospital discharge is approximately 10% to 12%. Techniques like CPR and controlled hypothermia play significant roles in improving survival outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question inquires about the survival rate of adult patients with non-traumatic cardiac arrest who are treated by EMS and survive to hospital discharge. While the statistics can vary widely based on the population, setting, and EMS protocols, studies have shown that overall out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival to hospital discharge rates range from approximately 10% to 12%. The use of emergency techniques such as CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and advanced cardiac life support can improve chances of survival significantly.
Additionally, controlled hypothermia is another technique used by emergency department physicians to reduce heart damage and improve outcomes for patients who have suffered a cardiac arrest. This involves inducing coma and lowering the patient's body temperature, thereby reducing the heart's workload and lessening the requirement for blood by the organs.
Concerning cardiac arrests, quick intervention is crucial. For instance, the efficacy of CPR is much improved without the presence of water in the lungs, and even in cases where the heart has stopped, recovery may still be possible if intervention occurs promptly. The application of defibrillation during emergency situations, such as open-heart surgery, can also be critical, requiring the proper voltage to be applied based on the patient's resistance.